Extract the content of this archive file in your rFactor root folder, then add this update.
We highly recommend creating a separated rFactor lite install. Be sure to set the helmet preference in your PLR file to Helmet="0"
Mod readme here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/1bn6r3v5p427kn8/HSO_ChampCars_1973_Readme.pdf
II. Description :
In 1973, the Championship Car season began with sharp focus on the magical 200 mile per hour lap. Could anyone break through this barrier, and if so, who would it be? Dan Gurney's All American Racers? The McLaren Team from England? Or perhaps the Parnelli Jones "super team"? But by the end of 1973, the focus was most definitely on safety. After several tragic accidents during the month of May, the United States Auto Club began curtailing the performance of their premier series. Never before, and never again, would American open-wheelers be this unwieldy, this powerful, this dangerous.
Our 1973 mod is divided into two parts. The first is this release, v1.0. It covers rounds one through five of the USAC Championship Trail. 64-inch rear wings, 75 gallons of methanol fuel and unlimited boost were allowed at this time. Following the disastrous Indianapolis 500, USAC imposed new rules to slow the cars and make them safer. Rear wings were trimmed to 55 inches, fuel was limited to 40 gallons, and boost was restricted. These new rules impacted rounds six through sixteen, and will be the subject of v1.1 of this mod -- to be released in the second half of 2015.
The 1973 USAC National Championship was contested over sixteen rounds on eight different oval circuits. Three of these rounds were 500 mile races, encompassing the "Triple Crown" of auto racing -- the Indianapolis 500, The Schaefer 500 and the California 500. Other rounds varied in length from 125 to 200 miles, in some cases with two rounds held on the same day. Most drivers came up from through the sprint car ranks, with the occasional appearance by a NASCAR or road racing regular. Drivers of note were Gary Bettenhausen, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Johnny Rutherford, Roger McCluskey, Gordon Johncock and Mario Andretti -- just to name a few.
The series was dominated by the 1972 Dan Gurney Eagle. Other prominent makes included the McLaren M16 series, the Coyote MK4, and the Parnelli VPJ2. Most entries were powered by the Drake Offenhauser engine, an inline-4 cylinder dinosaur that had found new life through turbocharging. The Ford V-8 engine, then built by A.J. Foyt, was struggling to keep up with the Offenhauser's performance figures. A twin-turbocharged Chevrolet stock block V-8 also made appearances during the season.
Tires were predominantly Goodyear, with Firestone supplying a handful of teams. Unique to American oval racing is the idea of stagger -- deliberately making the outside tires larger in circumference so the car naturally wants to turn left. This trait features prominently in our mod, which will make setting up the cars an interesting challenge. We also hope that the extreme nature of these cars (confirmed to us through meticulous research, plus live interviews with Gary Bettenhausen and Jigger Sirois) help to illustrate the courage of drivers from this era, and the diabolical risks they were taking every Sunday.
III. Thanks and Acknowledgments :
3D modeling: JP Campmajo, David Sabre, Jason White, Trevor Greene, PieRat
Physics: Alberto Ibañez Skins: Jason White, Austin Johnson, David Sabre
Sounds: Richard Wilks (a.k.a. Skywilk)
Shaders: SRPL ShaderPack
Research: Frank Verplanken, Richard Coxon, Jason White, Alberto Ibañez, Austin Johnson, David Sabre, Jigger Sirois
Betatesters: Guillaume Siebert, Alberto Ibañez, Jason White, Richard Coxon, Trevor Greene, David Sabre, Austin Johnson, Jukka Maattanen, Mike Becnel, Yves Plaçais, Tiago Malafaya, Martin Audran, Ben Paulet, John Fuqua
The Bible: Frank Verplanken
Dedicated to the Memory of Gary Clyde Bettenhausen
IV. Upcoming Events :
Sunday March 29, 2015 ---> 1973 Trentonian Split 300 | 2 heats, 100 laps each
Our first open event will take place on the unusual Trenton International Speedway; the only circuit on the Championship Car calendar that included a right turn! Add to this the different banking at both ends of the track, and you have a truly unique racing challenge.
Sunday May 24, 2015 ---> 1973 Indianapolis 500 Time Trials
The objective is simple. Drive four laps, ten miles, as fast as you can. Consistency and a meticulously-prepared setup will be key for those who hope to make the final grid of 33 cars. And -- will anyone be able to lay down that elusive, magical 200 mile per hour lap?
Sunday May 31, 2015 ---> 1973 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race | 200 laps
The real life 1973 500 was plagued by rain and a slew of tragic accidents. Thankfully, our 1973 500 will be run under clear, blue skies. A grueling contest of endurance, speed, and patience lies ahead for the elite 33. Be sure to have a pint of milk in the fridge, just in case!
Post card photo: Copyright IMS
_________________
Last edited by Jason White on Sun 31 May 2015 - 14:41; edited 16 times in total
Timo Vermeersch Racing Legend
Number of posts : 1345 Age : 54 Location : Brussels Registration date : 2009-08-11
is there still time to add modifcations to the ovals? like the "cough"' smoke values in the tdf files and if possible can I see them to add some of my touches?
Robert MacEwen Rookie
Number of posts : 12 Age : 67 Location : Earls Cove b.c. Registration date : 2015-03-05
Out of my head right now, 15 basic chassis with several variants of some of them, and 3 different engines (Plus 2 pace cars).
Quote :
And tracks?
Trenton 73 track by David Sabre, Indy 73 is ready depending on who you ask and two more are on the works, but will not come before the championship on a full season. For now we have Trenton open and Indy in May
_________________
Jacob Fredriksson Racing Legend
Number of posts : 1047 Age : 34 Location : Sweden Registration date : 2014-01-15
Our readme file is now available online Lots of great information on the mod and the history of the actual series. A big thanks to Alberto Ibañez for compiling this important document Top post is updated with this link as well.
Home 
Subject: HSO 1973 Championship Cars v1.0 
Tue 10 Mar 2015 - 14:41
Dedicated to the Memory of Gary Clyde Bettenhausen 
!
